Jianne Soriano

Summer in Hong Kong can be quite brutal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. It’s all about finding the right ways to help cool down. Think indoor activities, avoiding mid-day sightseeing, and of course, cooling down with frozen desserts like ice cream. So, here’s our guide to the best ice cream (and other frozen desserts) shops in Hong Kong to beat the summer heat. Over the years, many ice cream brands and shops have made their way to Hong Kong. That means we don’t even have to travel far to enjoy them. There’s no denying that brands such as Venchi and Godiva are a must; after all, they have attained cult status in Hong Kong. But in addition to these two, there are also plenty of options in town for your ice cream fix. Here are our favourite ice cream brands and shops in Hong Kong, whether it’s for Italian gelato, sundae, or even plant-based treats. The best gelato in Hong Kong Gelato contains less than 10% butterfat, which is generally lower than other types of ice cream. The result is a softer and denser texture. These days, you can easily find gelato ice cream in Hong Kong. There has been a gelato “explosion” in Hong Kong, with various brands, including those from Japan and Australia, setting up shop in the city. XTC Gelato XTC Gelato has been offering natural, low-fat gelato since 2001—a fixture in Hong Kong when it comes to gelato. There has been a string of new gelato brands in the city, but XTC Gelato has always been ahead in the game. The Italian gelato brand also takes pride in sourcing the best ingredients from all over the world, including French Valrhona chocolate, Australian milk, and mangoes from the Philippines. Expect the scoops of gelato to also be gluten-free, soy-free, and with no artificial additives. XTC Gelato also has limited flavours for the month on rotation, so there’s always something new to try with each visit. Shop B, 45 Cochrane Street, Central, Hong Kong +852 2541 0500 Mon-Sun 11 a.m. - Midnight Snack Baby Gelato Oh, the crowds when Snack Baby Gelato opened have been quite unbelievable… in a good way. And dare I say, reignited the current gelato craze in Hong Kong. So, what’s all the fuss about? An extensive range of lactose-free and dairy-free options, both classic flavours and unique ones. Plus, the 14 flavours regularly change, which gives customers more to try with each visit. Sure to be irresistible are Mint Stracciatella, Peanut Butter Crunch, and Rich Milk. The intricately decorated galateria, which is reminiscent of cafes and bars found in Milan in the 1960s, even serves cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. 93-95 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong Sun-Wed: 12p.m. - 10p.m., Thu-Sat 12 p.m. - midnight Yonna Yonna Gelato The first overseas branch of the Okinawan gelato brand Yanbaru Gelato. The name of the offshoot galateria “yonna yonna” means to take time off to enjoy life in the local Okinawan dialect. Get a taste of seasonal fruits from the island prefecture right here in Hong Kong. There are 11 flavours served by the cup, including the vegan-friendly Pineapple & Tankan Mandarin. There’s also the Yanbaru Gelato signature, Orange Vanilla Mascarpone. Other vegan options certified by the Japan Vegan Assocation include Okinawa Mango and Nakijin Watermelon. G16 Tower II, The Twins, 12 Muk Chui Street, Kai Tak, Hong Kong +852 5910 8190 Mon-Thu 12 p.m. - 9 p.m., Fri-Sun 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. Messina Australian cult ice cream brand Messina has found its way to Hong Kong. Its name draws inspiration from the owners, Nick and Danny’s Sicilian heritage, as well as the birthplace of their parents in Messina, Sicily. Messina flourishes with the 40-flavour offering, 30 of which are classic options and five are exclusive to Hong Kong. There are also five rotating specials to indulge in. The team grows their own hazelnuts and honey in Victoria, Australia, while the pistachios come from Bronte in Italy and the cocoa from Ecuador. All these come together and are churned daily for a superior scoop. Make sure to try local flavours, Hong Kong French Toast and Black Sesame Tong Yuen. 37-43 Pottinger Street, Central, Hong Kong Mon-Fri: 12 p.m. - 10 p.m., Sat-Sun 12 p.m. - 11 p.m. The best soft serve ice cream in Hong Kong Soft serve ice cream is known for its smoother and lighter texture. It contains higher air content and lower milk fat content. In Hong Kong, the most popular soft serve ice cream is probably McDonald’s, but there are also plenty of other options available, especially if you’re looking for unique flavours. Mobile Softee When it comes to soft serve ice cream, Mobile Softee (formerly called Mister Softee) reigns supreme. The mobile ice cream brand’s signature white, red, and blue design in music box-style jingle is embedded in the collective memory of many residents. And the frozen treat is childhood nostalgia in a nutshell. But Mobile Softee is not a homegrown brand; it’s actually from the United States, and its appeal eventually reached Hong Kong’s shores. What sets it apart is how it stayed true to its humble beginnings, frozen in time despite Hong Kong’s competitive market. The same four offerings have been available for over five decades, and the most popular is the soft serve. And unlike traditional ice cream shops, the schedule and routes of the vans are never exact, which adds to the feeling of spontaneity. While it may soon disappear from the streets, just like many of Hong Kong’s iconic trades, it’s all the more reason to try it for the quintessential ice cream experience. Can be spotted around tourist attractions such as Star Ferry Pier, Golden Bauhinia Square, The Langham... Via Tokyo Matcha soft serve? Via Tokyo remains unmatched. This ice cream store has been popular since 2013, thanks to its range of matcha offerings. Before the days of Instagram Reels and TikTok (it’s missed here in Hong Kong!), Via Tokyo had already made its rounds on social media and through word of mouth. Of course, the soft serve matcha is the star, with the Hokkaido Milk flavour close in tow. Customers come back because their ice creams are made with matcha powder from Kyoto 3.6 Hokkaido milk, which is known for its rich creamy texture. Not a fan of cone soft serve? Get it in a three-flavour waffle cup instead! Shop 1A-1B, G/F, Leishun Court, 106-126 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong +852 2895 1116 Mon-Sun 3 p.m. - 10 p.m. Nana’s Green Tea Nana’s Green Tea is a famous tea house and cafe in Japan that has been making waves in Hong Kong as well. If its name isn’t a dead giveaway, the brand specialises in green tea with its parfaits and soft serve ice cream as signatures. From its name, one can tell that they also take pride in using only the best matcha powder, sourced from the historic Yamamasa Koyamaen tea studio in Kyoto, whose history dates back to the early Edo period. Aside from the matcha soft serve, there are also other flavours, such as hojicha, that are available. B128, Airside, 2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak, Hong Kong +852 2117 1309 Mon-Sun 12 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Digreen There’s no need to venture to Macau for this viral ice cream, as it is now available in Hong Kong. After flooding social media with its Vitasoy Melon Milk soft serve, with Hongkongers going all the way to Macau just to try it, Digreen has opened up shop in the city. What’s more, they’re offering Hong Kong-inspired flavours. The Vitasoy Melon Milk is one, but there’s also Vitasoy Lemon Tea and a few others, which may raise some eyebrows, such as coriander and Black Truffle Milk flavours. If you love both soft serve and gelato, you’ll be pleased to know that Digreen’s ice cream is both. Stay tuned on their social media for new creative flavours that are available. Shop 7C-7D, Yue Wong Building, Fa Yuen Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong +852 2613 8213 Mon-Fri 12 p.m. - 11 p.m., Sat-Sun 12 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. The best ice cream sundaes in Hong Kong A sundae is a frozen dessert that consists of a few scoops of cream, drizzled with a sweet syrup and other toppings such as fruits, marshmallows, or chocolate chips. It’s not the most common ice cream in Hong Kong, but it’s more filling than your regular ice cream cup or cone. It also comes in innovative flavours and combinations. Twist & Buckle Chances are, you might have seen Twist & Buckle pop up on your social media, especially after its recognition in the Michelin Guide. With its use of a top-quality José Luis Blanco machine all the way from Spain, the dessert shop whips up churros with an incredible crunch. Yes, it’s a churro specialist, but they put their star item into sundaes for an even more unique dessert. For something Instagrammable, go for the Rainbow flavour, which comes with rainbow sugar sprinkles. The Cookies and Cream is a must for fans of that flavour, while the Movie 2.0 contains popcorn for that extra crunch. For HK$75, customers can also build their own flavour. 29-31 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong +852 6508 2674 Sun-Thu 12 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Fri-Sat 12 p.m. - 11 p.m. Sundazed Matcha If you’re looking for a quick summer refreshment or thirst quencher, Sundazed Matcha is where you have to be. As its name suggests, this takeaway ice cream shop is all about matcha-infused drinks and desserts. It’s a true haven for matcha lovers in town. Sample some tea-flavoured frozen delights, including soft serve creations and delicious sundaes. There are only a few soft serve flavours, so if you’re feeling adventurous, go for the sundae flavours. The Sundazed Matcha is the signature, but the Hojicha with Honeycomb also impresses, while the Milk Berries Cheesecake makes for an interesting dessert. Shop A, G/F, 100 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong Mon-Sun 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. The best plant-based and vegan ice cream in Hong Kong If you have dietary restrictions (such as lactose intolerance) or simply want to enjoy a healthier alternative, the answer is plant-based ice cream. Over the years, Hong Kong’s dining scene has expanded to cater to diners with dietary preferences and restrictions, especially as vegan and vegetarian meals and diets become more common. That has, of course, extended to desserts as well. Happy Cow Homegrown brand Happy Cow is the perfect pick for ice cream lovers with dietary restrictions. Their plant-based offerings are dairy- and egg-free, have low cholesterol, and boast less sugar. Instead, the ice cream is made from coconut cream, organic coconut sugar, homemade jam, and fruits. Expect no artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives. Plus, the ice cream is halal certified. Available in supermarkets across the city, flavours include Salted Caramel Swirl, Mint Chocolate Chip, Pineapple Coconut, and Golden Pillow Durian. During summer, there are also limited-edition special flavours available, while stock lasts. Customers can also get ice cream cups delivered to their house for an additional HK$ 50. List of stockists here. The Ice Cream & Cookie Co. The Ice Cream & Cookie Co. is a Singaporean independent ice cream brand that has become popular for its unique ice cream sandwiches. Their humble journey started at farmers’ markets across Singapore before making it big and landing in Hong Kong. Besides its popular ice cream sandwiches and pints, the shop is also known for Asian-inspired flavours and a range of plant-based and dairy-free options. For instance, its frozen dessert cups, such as Mango Mochi and Onde Onde, are both dairy-free, gluten-free, and plant-based. These are available at 7-Eleven stores across Hong Kong. Those who want to dine at their cafe can try the plant-based Dark Chocolate flavour and dairy-free Tropical Swirl, available in guava and pineapple flavours. 18 Gough Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Website The best frozen yoghurt in Hong Kong Frozen yoghurt, also called “fro-yo”, is a type of ice cream made from yoghurt or cultured milk. It has a softer and flightly tangier texture with lower fat content and fewer calories. It is a healthier alternative thanks to some live and active cultures (depending on the yoghurt used) that can be beneficial for gut health. Yo Mama Among all the frozen yoghurt brands in town, Yo Mama has stood the test of time and is still here. They take pride in using only the finest ingredients so that the fro-yo is 98% fat-free. Plus, low-calorie and a smooth taste make Yo Mama is leading name in the fro-yo game. In addition to its popular original flavours, you can also enjoy seasonal offers like the Unicon Sprint. Don’t forget to add toppings to your order. Various locations including Shop 3098A, ifc mall, Podium Level 3, Central, Hong Kong +852 2872 7000 Website Yoajung This South Korean frozen yoghurt brand has the stamp of approval of celebrities like Haewon from the K-pop group NMIXX. It became more viral because of its Instagrammable look and being a healthier option. Now, it has taken Hong Kong by storm and with just one shop (so far!), customers have flocked to get their custom bowls. Its name is an acronym for “yoghurt ice cream done right”. On one hand, it’s healthy but also fun to “personalise” your bowl with a choice of flavour, toppings, and even an extra chocolate shell. Shop UG71, UG/F, Olympian City 3, 1 Hoi Wang Road, Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong +852 6271 2967 Website